Selecting chemicals for a total diet study

Abstract

One of the key decisions in undertaking a total diet study (TDS) is the selection of priority chemicals to be monitored. While the primary basis is the potential of a chemical to have an adverse effect on health or affect the nutritional status of the population, the decision may be influenced by many other factors, including regulatory and trade concerns, input from key stakeholders, epidemiological information on new or emerging health problems in the population, adequate technical facilities and qualified personnel, and political and financial support for long-term exposure assessment studies to assess trends in exposure. These factors are described and recommendations for priority chemicals are offered.